Citation Flow

Citation Flow (CF) is Majestic's measure of the influence a URL or domain has based purely on the volume and strength of its inbound links, with no quality or trust filter applied. It is scored 0–100 on a logarithmic scale, similar in shape to Domain Rating or Domain Authority but mechanically distinct.

CF answers a single question: how much link power does this site command? It rewards any inbound link regardless of source, which is why CF can rise quickly during link-building campaigns — including campaigns of dubious quality. On its own, CF is easy to manipulate and easy to misread. That is why it is almost always read alongside Trust Flow (TF), which filters for proximity to trusted seed sites.

The TF/CF ratio is the operator-friendly summary. A site with CF 50 and TF 45 has a clean, editorial profile. A site with CF 50 and TF 12 has volume but no trust — a classic signature of manipulated link patterns, expired-domain abuse, or a profile dominated by low-quality directories and forums.

CF correlates with raw Backlink count more strongly than TF does, but the correlation is loose because CF uses a recursive flow model: a small number of very strong inbound links can produce a higher CF than thousands of weak ones. This is the same mathematical principle that underlies PageRank.

In practice, CF is most useful for two tasks. First, qualifying prospects during outreach — a site with CF in the 30s is generally worth pursuing if the topical fit is right. Second, monitoring sudden movement: a sharp CF rise on a competitor's profile often signals a fresh batch of inbound links worth investigating, sometimes revealing new digital PR placements or Guest Post opportunities you can pursue next.

CF on its own should never be treated as a ranking signal. Always read it through the TF lens.